Special goalkeeping camp a boon for our preparations: PR Sreejesh

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Bangalore. Indian men’s hockey team goalkeeper PR Sreejesh opened up about the team’s preparations for the Spanish Hockey Federation’s 100th anniversary international tournament and the Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023, which are key competitions for the team ahead of the crucial Hangzhou Asian Games. Are. Asian Games in September where his Olympic qualification will be at stake.

Spain For the international tournament to mark the 100th anniversary of the Spanish Hockey Federation, India will face England, Netherlands and Spain.

For the Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023, India will take on China, Korea, Japan, Pakistan and Malaysia in a single round-robin format.

Sreejesh believes that regular goalkeeping camps with Netherlands’ Dennis Van de Pol have proved a boon in clearing problems ahead of big events. Goalkeeping coach Dennis is conducting a special camp with the Indian men’s hockey team from July 13 to July 19. He will then conduct another training session from September 7 to September 14 ahead of the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023.

On working closely with Dennis, Sreejesh said, “Dennis is a fantastic coach. Working closely with someone of his experience and ability has certainly been useful. We have important tournaments ahead and I believe we have made good use of their time here, especially for the young goalkeepers as well. His valuable insights and coaching skills have certainly helped. We have worked on various drills including PC defence, penalty shootouts and most importantly our footwork.

“At the moment, for me personally, my immediate focus is on the Spanish Hockey Federation – the international tournament, where we would like to execute everything we have practiced in the camp and the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023,” he added. It will be a platform to see where we stand ahead of the important Asian Games in September.

Hockey fans are also happy with the return of international hockey to Chennai after a long gap of 16 years. Chennai had previously hosted the Men’s Hockey Asia Cup in 2007, in which India won the trophy by defeating South Korea 7–2.

Sharing his views on Chennai hosting the Asian Champions Trophy and the return of international hockey to the state after 16 years, the goalkeeper said, “It is good to see Chennai hosting the Asian Champions Trophy. I am sure the fans will enjoy the matches and will come in large numbers to support us. The fans of Chennai are very passionate and knowledgeable about hockey and they would expect nothing less from us. We are looking forward to play in Chennai as a team and I am sure we will live up to the expectations of the spectators.

(IANS)

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